Brother's Loyalty: Endgame

Delicate

About a month later...

Professor Elvin Gadd greeted Luigi with a big laugh and a big hug the moment he was Pixelated into Evershade Valley. "It's always good to see you, youngster," he said.

"It's always good to see you, too," replied Luigi.

"Would you like some coffee?" asked Gadd.

"Sure," Luigi told him, "but—I need to see him first."

Solemnly, Gadd nodded. "Follow me."

Luigi held the nozzle of his trusty Poltergust 5000 at the ready as he and the Professor went into the latter's Bunker and descended into the Vault. They passed an empty green tank and a blue canister filled with Boos, all of who leered and cackled at the pair. At a specially-constructed containment unit, the duo paused.

"Here he is," said Gadd.

Slowly and cautiously, Luigi peered inside—and then he leveled the ghost vacuum as a large Boo face was suddenly pressed against the glass, the mouth warped in a cross between a sneer and a snarl, those purple eyes searing deep into his soul.

Luigi's heart was doing about a hundred, but he didn't flinch or show any weakness. Instead, he kept his eyes on his mortal enemy, the vacuum's nozzle steady in his hand, two fingers over the vacuum's trigger and his thumb over the Strobulb to discourage the imprisoned Boo from pulling a fast one.

"You will never get near my bro again," Luigi vowed in a low and shaky voice. "Never."

Gadd walked forward and placed a hand on his mentee's shoulder. Luigi turned.

"I'll take that coffee now," he said.

Together, the Professor and the plumber walked out of the room. And they didn't look back.

...

"I still can't believe this coffee's green," said Luigi as he took a sip of Lunoman Greenie coffee, a blend exclusive to the valley, "and yet it tastes like any other coffee. Are you sure there's nothing supernatural in this blend?"

"Absolutely positive," replied Gadd as he sipped from his own mug.

Luigi levered out a slice of one of the assorted coffee cakes and began to eat it. "How's that ghost energy experiment going?" he asked.

Gadd's face split into a wide grin. "I'm glad you asked!" he laughed. "As a matter of fact, I've made an astonishing breakthrough. I discovered..."

Polterpup dashed onto the scene, barking happily, attracted by the smell of the coffee cakes. Laughing softly, Luigi knelt in front of his pet, broke off a piece of the slice he was eating, and offered it to the paranormal pooch. Polterpup sniffed the treat before gobbling it up, rewarding Luigi with a few doggie kisses and a lick to the cheek. The man in green set aside the slice and gathered Polterpup into his arms.

"Sorry, Professor," said Luigi as he stroked Polterpup's fur. "What did you discover?"

"A new element," Gadd proudly announced.

"No—way," breathed Luigi.

"It's true," said Gadd. "I was collecting samples of ghost energy when a Hider decided to play a prank on me. They startled me so badly that I inadvertently spilled my cup of Lunoman Greenie coffee into the ghost energy. Immediately, the concoction took on the beverage's distinctive color and attained viscosity. After collecting this new element, I decided to name it—Goo."